New to smartphones? Nokia's calling you

Nokia 108. Available with single or dual SIM slots, the 108 is the ideal first-time phone or backup handset. (Nokia)

It may be preparing to change its company name and even its business direction, but that hasn't stopped the Finnish phone maker from launching another well-made, affordable handset aimed at those that are taking their first steps into the mobile phone market and those that just want a dependable backup handset for emergencies.

The Nokia 108 and 108 Dual SIM phones have excellent still and moving image-recording capabilities and, because they come with SD slots for up to 32GB of storage, users can film and photograph to their hearts' content.

But as well as images, the extra space could be used for games and music. The phones also feature built-in radios, mp3 players and flashlights and, best of all, offer a 31-day standby time -- thanks to the lack of touch screen -- meaning that the single SIM variant is an ideal emergency call phone. Charge it up, drop it in a bag or a car and it'll last the month before the battery needs topping up. The dual SIM's battery life is a little shorter -- 25 days -- but it does offer users the choice of which SIM card to use every time they make a call or send a text.

Advertisement

Available in black, red, white yellow and cyan, the phones will start shipping towards the end of the year for a recommended retail price of just $29. At that price, they could also make perfect souvenirs of the Nokia of old, for phone fans before the company becomes the Microsoft of new. They even come with Snake pre-installed for those who really want a trip

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

PARIS (AP) — Bye, New York! Ciao, Milan! Bonjour, Paris! The world's largest traveling circus of fashion editors, models, buyers and journalists has descended on the French capital, clutching their metro maps and city guides, to cap the ready-to-wear fashion season. Full Story